Currently people in the United States eat, on the average, 1,431 pound

Question

Currently people in the United States eat, on the average, 1,431 pounds of food per year, 35 pounds more than in 1980. This increase is, at least in part, because people between the ages of 15 and 64 have accounted for an increasing share of the population.

Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage above?

(A) More than half of the current population of the United States is between the ages of 15 and 64.

(B) The population has risen since 1980.

(C) Children below the age of 15 require, on the average, more food than do people over the age of 64.

(D) Before 1980 children below the age of 15 outnumbered people between the ages of 15 and 64.

(E) Individuals between the ages of 15 and 64 consume, on the average, more food than do those younger or older.

TheNightKing · Answer

We are talking about the US. 1431 pounds today, 1396 pounds in 1980. Part reason is people between the ages of 15 and 64 have increased share of population.
I need to infer something from this information.
A. Hmm. This surely helps but can I infer it from the stem? I kinda doubt but I will keep and check other options.
E. That should be true. That is what the passage is trying to tell me. Population of this age group increased and the food consumption on average increased too. Makes sense.
B. Good. It should not increase. We should stop. Haha. It does not talk anything specific. Out.
D. May be before 1980 population of adults was more why would I bother?
C. It is very unlikely to be true but still. Even if they do there is no way I can infer this from the stem.

Between A and E, E makes more sense. IMO E

animesh mohanty · Answer

-->Because the passage mentions that the average has went up it means that the consumption per person has increased in general.
-->The passage also mentions that one of the reasons for this increase is the increase in share of people in the age group of 15-64.
The obvious connection is people in this age group consume more food and this has resulted in an increase in the total consumption.
The only option which fits our line of reasoning is E.

ar21x · Answer

We are talking about the US. 1431 pounds today, 1396 pounds in 1980. Part reason is people between the ages of 15 and 64 have increased share of population.

Of all the choices given E can be inferred

road2gmat · Answer

Key facts:
1) Today  people eat 35 pounds more than in 1980
2)This increase is,  at least in part , because people between the ages of 15 and 64 have accounted for an increasing share of the population

What can be inferred? The population aged 15-64 is proportionally greater now than in 1980, and that portion of the population eats the most compare to others (i.e., kids, elders), impacting how many total pounds of food are eaten

Thus, (E) is the most fitting one

SatvikVedala · Answer

Approach

A) " More than half of the current population of the United States is between the ages of 15 and 64." -  This option talks about population but not consumption, cannot be inferred as the question suggests average consumption

B) " The population has risen since 1980."  - This option too talks on population but not consumption

C) " Children  below the age of 15 require , on the average, more food than do people over the age of 64."  - Age group of 15 to 64 is under discussion so, this option is out of scope

D) " Before 1980 children below the age of 15 outnumbered people between the ages of 15 and 64."  - Even if it is the case then what about children's consumption now, is it given that that has dropped since in the question

E) " Individuals between the ages of 15 and 64 consume, on the average, more food than do those younger or older."  - correct

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Currently people in the United States eat, on the average, 1,431 pound

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Currently people in the United States eat, on the average, 1,431 pound

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards